Girder trusses and what they sit on in a Berwick frame
Why packers under a girder truss are a frame stage finding, not a detail.
In short: A girder truss carries other trusses. What it bears on decides whether that load reaches the walls safely.
What a girder truss does
It picks up the ends of other trusses where a roof changes shape, so it carries far more than a standard truss.
Packers that are not rated
We have recorded cement sheet packers used to adjust the height under a Berwick girder. Cement sheet is not rated for that point load.
Why it is caught at frame
The seat is visible from inside until the ceiling goes up. After that it is reached only through the roof space, if at all.
What a fix looks like
The builder confirms the bearing detail with the truss supplier or engineer and replaces the packing with a rated material.
Other loads to check
Posts, beams and bolted connections carry similar point loads and are checked at the same visit.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Berwick. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
